Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-06-08
Our Highways and ByWays.

Last wear there was lively discussion,
which more or less engrossed attention In
every part of the county, in relation to the
Improvement of the roadways, and increas-
ing the number of bridges oyer the streams. |
The agitation of these questions gave rise
to views and plans for different policies,
but the authors and those discussing the |
general methods of improvement whilst
differing in some respects, were Of one
mind in agreeing that an advance for bet
tering the situation was necessary. Obser-
yations eighteen months after the discus
sion occurred, demonstrates that the inter
change of thought has proven beneficial to
the public interests. The county govern
ment has been moving along very smoothly
from an enlightened and progressive stand
point in forwarding policy, neither hasty
n or spasmodic, and at the same time not
too slow in accomplishing the needful re-
forms.
The recent completion of two lines of
railway through the length of the county
changed the face of the map at many points
in regard to the outward and inward trans
portation of the people through public
channels. To accommodate the public
interests, under these circumstances, re-
quired the exercise of patient and palms.
taking investigation, especially in the
changing of old and mapping out new-the
lesser as well as the greater-thorough-
| fares leading thereto, because all involved
the expenditure of labor and money in
their accomplishment. The records of the
County Court and of the Board of Super
visors will show that with close and earn
est attention to these important interests
will be found clear, comprehensive and
eminently progressive action. The people
of all parts of the county, remotely or di-
rectly interested, have sustained and ap-
proved the proceedings of their local gov
eminent as it has met the questions pre-
sented for consideration and action.
OF the systems of improvement proposed
in the discussion referred to, there were
advocates for commencing by adopting the
Matchmaking plan, but it was not con-
Cured in to the full extent desired, yet
with the means available, there has been a
decided progress in lettering the condition
of the earth road-beds, and here and there
a fair proportion of metal has been laid
upon their surface at the most needed
points.
The principal streams of the county in
their meandering courses will reach in the
aggregate the length of four hundred miles
During the seasons of continued rains, some
, of them, especially those in the lower sec
lions approaching the confluence in the
+ northeastern section of the county, are i'm
passable for days and weeks, except by
bridges which are few and far apart.
Whilst bestowing a proper attention to
the roads with the means available, the
} county government has inaugurated wise
: and judcious policy, for the relief OF the
public necessity, in supplying bridges. In
few years, under the operation of the
plans in existence, safety will supplant
danger in all seasons and at all needful
points. The style of work which has been
adopted in the building of bridges is stone
abutments and pillars, elevated above the
, highest water marks, with iron superstruc-
r lures, and requiring promptress in the
, execution of contracts. Last year, a bridge
, thus described. was erected over Middle
river on the Churchville road. Another
g will go up Oh the Spring HiH road, lower
f down that stream, and third and perhaps
fourth will relieve the constant necessity of
= fording lower parts of that winding and
= sluggish river. A contract has just been
| entered into for the immediate erection of a
= bridge of the pattern described over the
South river at Waynesboro' free from the
danger of floods, which, in times past, de-
prived that fair section of the county Of the
? public means of safety they previously had
in crossing the often angry waters. II
needed, when there were no railroads, it is
} ten times more so now when there exists a
centre of the modern and rapid transporta-
, ton lines at that growing town and in that
live and progressive community. Whilst
t government for completing system OF
bridges, it is proper to say that the people
by their private contributions stepped for
, ward and supplemented the county appro.
t priations.
, When these leading necessities are re-
lieved, the county government will doubt
less continue this commendable progress
until the public crossings of streams are
of the year.
In the recent canvass pending the cleo
ton of county officers, political opinions
and feelings were introduced, but nowhere
faction expressed as to the discharge Of Of
: fetal duty by the Supervisors, and five of
the six constituting the Board, who were
| candidates for reelection, were returned
without objection in that particular This
reference is made only to note the cordi-
atty with which the people of the county
| of all parties and ali sections, whether
, needing bridges or not, are sustaining their
, public agents in the policy which has been
adopted policy eminently wise and
judicious and worthy of the county as it
moves forward in the development and
progress of all its interests.
A PRETTY SToRY.-The Hon. VIM. J.
Stone, member of Congress from Kentucky,
delivered the address Saturday week, Con-
federate Memorial Day, in Charlestown,